Bridge element and set comprising a clamping element and a bridge element

ABSTRACT

A bridge element ( 5 ) having at least two bridge prongs ( 4 ), which are intended to be inserted into the respective bridge shafts ( 2 ) and to make electrically conductive contact with a contact point ( 3 ), which is arranged in the bridge shaft ( 2 ), of one or more clamping elements ( 1 A- 1 G), and having a bridge section ( 10 ) which is electrically conductively connected to the bridge prongs ( 4 ) is described. The bridge prongs ( 4 ) and the bridge section ( 10 ) are electrically conductive and extend parallel to one another in a common insertion direction (Z). At least the external b ridge prongs ( 4 ) each have a profile which is of L-shaped cross section and has an outer contact section ( 9 ) which extends flat in the direction (Z) of extent and in the bridging direction (Y) which faces the adjacent bridge prongs ( 4 ), and an inner contact section ( 6 ) which starts from the outer contact section ( 9 ) transverse to the bridging direction (Y). The inner contact sections ( 6 ) of the two external bridge prongs ( 4 ) are at a smaller distance from one another than the distance between the free ends of the outer contact sections ( 9 ) of the two external bridge prongs ( 4 ).

The invention relates to a bridge element having at least two bridgeprongs, which are intended to be inserted into respective bridge shaftsand to make electrically conductive contact with a contact point, whichis arranged in the bridge shaft, of one or more clamping elements, andhaving a bridge section which is electrically conductively connected tothe bridge prongs, with the bridge prongs and the bridge section beingelectrically conductive, and with the bridge prongs extending parallelto one another in a common insertion direction. The invention alsorelates to a set comprising a clamping element, which has a plurality ofbridge shafts which are arranged next to one another, or a plurality ofclamping elements which are arranged next to one another and in eachcase have at least one bridge shaft, and comprising two or more bridgeelements.

Bridge elements of this type are used, in particular, in order toestablish a transverse electrical connection between terminal blockswhich are arranged adjacent on a mounting rail.

By way of example, DE 197 08 649 B4 describes a bridge element of thistype in the form of a transverse bridge for electrically connecting thebusbars of terminals which are lined up with a parallel orientation inrelation to one another. The transverse bridges are punched out of aflat metal material in one piece and have an upper bridging rail whichruns in the plane of extent of the flat material and from which two ormore plugging tongues extend away in the manner of a comb. The describedtransverse bridge is of single-layer design, with the bridge prongsbeing preliminarily spread out and making contact with the busbarlaterally in the direction of extent of the bridge section.

DE 94 06 612 U1 discloses a single- or multi-pole transverse connectorfor connection terminals. In order to reduce the space requirement, theindividual bridge prongs have a contact pin and a contact spring, saidcontact pin and contact spring resting directly one on the other in theassembled state and, in the process, being connected to one another in amechanically stable manner.

A bridge element with spread-out, sprung bridge prongs is shown in DE295 14 014 U1.

DE 195 06 859 A1, DE 195 47 557 A1, DE 33 12 002 C2, DE 36 25 240 C2, DE42 23 540 C2 and DE 44 11 306 C1 describe comparable single- ormulti-layer bridge elements.

DE 43 22 535 A1 discloses electrical terminals with transverse bridgeswhich can be plugged in and can be arranged at a distance from and nextto one another and one above the other with different heightarrangements. To this end, the top webs of the transverse bridges arearranged spatially offset in relation to one another in order tointerconnect the transverse bridges one in the other.

In all the known embodiments of bridge elements, a single bridge prongof a single bridge element can be accommodated for each bridge shaft,since otherwise reliable contact-connection cannot be ensured.

Proceeding from the above, the object of the present invention is toimprove a bridge element, and also a set comprising a clamping elementand a bridge element, such that bridge elements can be interconnectd ina more flexible manner while reducing the overall size of the bridgeshafts of the clamping elements.

This object is achieved with the bridge element of the type mentioned inthe introduction in that at least the external bridge prongs each have aprofile which is of L-shaped cross section and has an outer contactsection which extends flat in the direction of extent and in thebridging direction which faces the adjacent bridge prongs, and an innercontact section which starts from the outer contact section transverseto the bridging direction, and in that the inner contact sections of thetwo external bridge prongs are at a smaller distance from one anotherthan the distance between the free ends of the outer contact sections ofthe two external bridge prongs in relation to one another.

In order to be able to selectively accommodate one or more bridge prongsof bridge elements in a single bridge shaft and reliably make contactwith a clamping element at the contact point which is arranged in thebridge shaft, the invention proposes designing the bridge prongs with anL-shaped cross section. This results in two L-shaped bridge elementsresting one on the other by way of their bearing face of the L-limbswhich is transverse to the spring direction, and therefore a continuousforce-fitting and electrical connection being established. That limb ofthe L-shaped profile which runs in the spring direction ensures, incontrast, a force-fitting electrical connection to the clamping elementif only one single bridge prong is present. In addition, this limb canplay a part in adjusting the position of the prongs in the bridge shaft.

It is particularly advantageous when the L-shaped profiles of the twoexternal bridge prongs are oriented in opposite directions to oneanother such that the outer contact sections of the two external bridgeprongs are offset in relation to one another and also extend indifferent planes to one another.

In this case, the outer contact sections which are oriented transverseto the clamping force of the clamping elements by way of their bearingsurface are arranged in different planes to one another, and thereforethe outer contact sections of two bridge prongs rest one on the otherand are pressed onto one another by clamping elements, in order to thusachieve reliable electrical connection.

It is also advantageous when the bridge section of a bridge element,which bridge section extends from one bridge prong to the next, isencased by insulating material. This can prevent damage to thesurrounding area when voltage potential is applied to the bridgeelement. In addition, the ability to handle the bridge elements isimproved by the casing, and adjustment of creepage distances and airgaps is improved. The casing can also be used to mark the bridgeelements and their direction of extent.

In one advantageous embodiment, one bridge element has exactly twobridge prongs. In this case, a large number of bridge elements for thetransverse connection of one terminal block to the other can be providedfor a number of terminal blocks which are arranged next to one anotheron a mounting rail, it being possible for the transverse connections tobe designed to be highly flexible, possibly by leaving out individualbridges between adjacent terminal blocks, with the aid of standardidentical bridge elements.

Bridge prongs and the bridge section are preferably integrally producedfrom an electrically conductive material. They can be produced usingcustomary forming techniques.

The invention is also achieved by a set of the type mentioned in theintroduction in that the width of the outer contact sections of thebridge elements in the bridging direction and the thickness of the outercontact sections transverse to the bridging direction and the directionof extent and also the width and thickness of the outer contact sectionsare matched to the cross sections of the bridge shafts such that in eachcase two bridge prongs of two bridge elements can be inserted into acommon bridge shaft such that they overlap in the respective outercontact section, and in the process jointly come into electricallyconductive contact with a single clamping element which is arranged insaid bridge shaft, with the guide sections of the two bridge prongsbeing spaced apart from one another by the interposed contact sections.

Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

The invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to theappended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1—shows a plan view of a detail of a row of terminal blocks whichare arranged next to one another on a mounting rail and have the bridgeelements arranged on parts of said terminal blocks in various sectionalplanes;

FIG. 2—shows a perspective view of a bridge element;

FIG. 3—shows a perspective view of the bridge element from FIG. 2without insulating material;

FIG. 4—shows sketches of two L-shaped bridge prongs which are insertedinto a bridge shaft;

FIG. 5—shows a sectional side view through clamping elements which arearranged next to one another and have bridge elements inserted therein;

FIG. 6—shows a longitudinal sectional view through a clamping elementwith a bridging element inserted therein in the region of a bridgeshaft.

FIG. 1 shows a detail of a number of clamping elements 1A-1G which canbe plugged onto a mounting rail (not illustrated) in a manner which isknown per se so as to adjoin one another. The clamping elements 1A-1Gare single-row terminal blocks which are known per se and in each casehave a bridge shaft 2 in which a contact point 3 in the form of a springclamping element is arranged in each case. The contact point 3 isconnected to a busbar in the clamping element 1A-1G and to a conductorclamping connection or the like which is connected to said clampingelement in an electrically conductive manner.

The sectional view in the sectional plane through the clamping element1F shows how a single bridge prong 4 of a bridge element 5, which bridgeprong is arranged in the bridge shaft 2, is electricallycontact-connected and firmly clamped at a contact point 3. It is clearthat the bridge prong 4 has a profile of L-shaped cross section with aninner contact section 6 which extends in the X direction, transverse tothe bridging direction Y, and which rests, at one end, against thespring element 7 of the contact point 3 and, at the other end, on theopposite side, rests on a mating bearing 8 of the contact point 3. Thebridge prong 4 is therefore firmly clamped and electricallycontact-connected by means of the inner contact section 6 in the contactpoint 3.

Transverse to the inner contact section, the L-shaped profile of thebridge prongs has an outer contact section 9, of which the entiresurface of the outer face rests against the mating bearing 8.

The section through the adjacent clamping element 1E shows the state ofthe clamping of bridge elements 5 when two bridge prongs 4 of two bridgeelements 5 are inserted into a single common bridge shaft 2. In thiscase, the inner faces of the outer contact sections 9 of the two bridgeprongs 4 rest against one another. The spring element 7 presses againstthe outer face of the adjoining outer contact section 9 of a bridgeprong 4, whereas the outer face of the outer contact section 9 of theother bridge prong 4 rests flat on the opposite mating bearing 8 of thecontact point 3.

It can also be seen that the inner contact sections 6 of the two bridgeprongs 4, which inner contact sections extend transverse to the outercontact section 9 as seen in cross section, are not clamped into thecontact point 3 on both sides at their outer edges. The length of theinner contact sections 6 is therefore dimensioned such that said lengthis lower than the thickness of two outer contact sections which rest oneon the other, and therefore a force-fit is ensured between the springelement 7 and the mating bearing 8 by means of the outer contactsections 9 of the bridge sections.

Whereas the bridge prong 4 is electrically conductivelycontact-connected and mechanically fixed by means of the inner contactsections 6 when only a single bridge prong 4 is inserted into a bridgeshaft 2, the outer contact section 9 is used to ensure the clampingcontact when two bridge prongs are inserted.

The section at the transition between the clamping elements 1E and 1Dand between the clamping elements 1D and 1C shows that two bridge prongs4 of a bridge element 5, Which bridge prongs extend parallel to oneanother and at a distance from one another in the same direction, areconnected to one another above the bridge shafts 2 by a bridge section10, and therefore the two bridge prongs 4 of a bridge element 5 areconnected to the same voltage potential and it is possible to transmitpower from one bridge prong 4 to the next.

The sectional view at the transition of the clamping elements at 1C to1B and 1B to 1A also shows that the bridge sections 10 are encased by aninsulating material 11. In this way, the respective bridge element 5 cannot only be handled better, but the surrounding area is also protectedagainst damage by electrical voltage potential, and it is possible toensure that creepage distances and air gaps can be maintained.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a bridge element 5 with the casing bythe insulating material 11 in the upper region, and the bridge prongs 4which project downward. Said figure also shows the profile, which is ofL-shaped cross section, of the bridge prongs 4. It can be seen here thatthe L-shaped profiles of the two external bridge prongs 4 are orientedin opposite directions to one another such that the outer contactsections 9 are offset in relation to one another and extend in differentplanes to one another. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, theouter contact section 9 of the left-hand bridge prong 4 is arranged in aplane above the plane of the right-hand outer contact section 9 of theright-hand bridge prong 4. When two identical bridge elements 5 areinserted next to one another, the higher outer contact section 9 of theleft-hand bridge prong 4 would then rest, by way of its inner face, onthe inner face of the lower outer contact section 9 of the right-handbridge prong 4, in order to thus create a force-fit and an electricalcontact-connection via the inner faces. In order to be able to arrangethe bridge elements 5 next to one another and, in the process, tointerconnect the bridge prongs 4 as described, the insulating material11 has a corresponding L-shaped contour in the upper region.

FIG. 3 shows a bridge element 5 without insulating material in the upperregion. It can be seen that the bridge prongs 4 are electricallyconductively connected to one another in the upper region by a bridgesection 10. The bridge section 10 is integrally produced with the bridgeprongs 4 and additionally holds the bridge prongs 4 with a parallelorientation in relation to one another.

The contour of the bridge section 10 and of the transition to the bridgeprongs 4 is matched to the spatial conditions and to the maximum currentto be expected. In particular, the flow cross section should besufficient to avoid heating or an undesired resistance.

FIG. 4 shows a side view through a bridge shaft 2 of a clamping element1 with two bridge prongs 4 arranged in the bridge shaft 2. It can againbe seen that the outer contact sections 9 of the two bridge prongs 4rest one on the other at their inner face, and the bridge prongs 4 arecontact-connected to the spring element 7 and mating bearing 8 of thecontact point 3 which each rest against the outer faces of the contactsections 9. In contrast, the inner contact sections 6 have no functionin this case and serve merely to guide the bridge prongs 4 in the bridgeshaft 2.

FIG. 5 shows a sectional side view through two clamping elements 1A, 1Bwhich are arranged next to one another, with two bridge prongs 4 of twoadjacent bridge elements 5 being inserted into the bridge shaft 2 of theleft-hand clamping element 1A. In contrast, only a single bridge prong 4of the right-hand bridge element 5 is inserted into the bridge shaft 2in the right-hand clamping element 1B.

However, reliable contact-connection of the bridge prongs 4 through thecontact point 3 in the respective bridge shaft 2 is ensured in bothcases by the bridge prongs 4 being clamped in the clamping element 1A atthe contact point 3 by way of the outer contact sections 9 of saidbridge prongs when contact is made with two bridge prongs 4, and theindividual bridge prong 4 being clamped in the clamping element 1B bymeans of the inner contact section 6.

FIG. 6 shows a longitudinal sectional view through a clamping element 1,in which a bridge element 5 is inserted into a bridge shaft 2. A bridgeprong 4 projects downward into a contact point 3 which is designed by aspring element 7 and a mating bearing 8 in the form of a busbar with apassage opening. The spring element 7 projects into the passage openingand rests on the outer face of the outer contact section 9 of the bridgeprong 4 which extends transverse to the spring direction X as seen incross section. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, only a singlebridge prong 4 is inserted into the bridge shaft 2, and therefore thebridge prong 4 is pressed, by way of the narrow edge of the innercontact section 6, against the inner edge of the passage opening of themating bearing 8, said inner edge being situated opposite the springelement 7. This ensures electrical contact between the bridge element 4and the mating bearing 8 (busbar).

1. A bridging element (5) having at least two bridge prongs (4), which are intended to be inserted into respective bridge shafts (2) and to make electrically conductive contact with a contact point (3), which is arranged in the bridge shaft (2) , of one or more clamping elements (1A-1G), and having a bridge section (10) which is electrically conductively connected to the bridge prongs (4), with the bridge prongs (4) and the bridge section (10) being electrically conductive, and with the bridge prongs (4) extending parallel to one another in a common insertion direction (Z), wherein at least the external bridge prongs (4) each have a profile which is of L-shaped cross section and has an outer contact section (9) which extends flat in the direction (Z) of extent and in the bridging direction (Y) which faces the adjacent bridge prongs (4), and an inner contact section (6) which starts from the outer contact section (9) transverse to the bridging direction (Y), and wherein the inner contact sections (6) of the two external bridge prongs (4) are at a smaller distance from one another than the distance between the free ends of the inner contact sections (9) of the two external bridge prongs (4) in relation to one another.
 2. The bridge element (5) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the L-shaped profiles of the two external bridge prongs (4) are oriented in opposite directions to one another such that the outer contact sections (9) of the two external bridge prongs (4) are offset from one another and extend in different planes to one another.
 3. The bridge element (5) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the L-shaped profiles of the two external bridge prongs (4) are oriented in the same direction to one another such that the outer contact sections (9) of the two external bridge prongs (4) lie in a common plane.
 4. The bridge element (5) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bridge section (10) is encased by insulating material.
 5. The bridge element (5) as claimed in claim 1, distinguished by exactly two bridge prongs (4).
 6. The bridge element (5) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bridge prongs (4) and the bridge section (10) are integrally produced from electrically conductive material.
 7. A set comprising a clamping element (1), which has a plurality of bridge shafts (2) which are arranged next to one another, or a plurality of clamping elements (1A-1G) which are arranged next to one another and in each case have at least one bridge shaft (2), and comprising two or more bridge elements (5) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the width of the outer contact sections (9) in the bridging direction (Y) and the thickness of the outer contact sections (9) transverse (X) to the bridging direction (Y) and the direction (Z) of extent and also the width and thickness of the inner contact sections (6) are matched to the cross sections of the bridge shafts (2) such that in each case two bridge prongs (4) of two bridge elements (5) can be inserted into a common bridge shaft (2) such that they overlap in the respective outer contact section (9), and in the process jointly come into electrically conductive contact with a single contact point (3) which is arranged in said bridge shaft, with the inner contact sections (6) of the two bridge prongs (4) being spaced apart from one another by the interposed outer contact sections (9).
 8. The set as claimed in claim 7, wherein the thickness of the inner contact sections (6) transverse to the bridging direction (Y) is smaller than the thickness of two outer contact sections (9) which lie one on the other.
 9. The set as claimed in claim 7, wherein the clamping elements (1A-1G) are terminal blocks, distributor terminals or relay bases which can be latched onto a top-hat rail.
 10. The set as claimed in claim 9, wherein the terminal blocks have conductor connections which are electrically conductively connected to the contact points (3) in the bridge shafts (2).
 11. The set as claimed in claim 9, wherein the terminal blocks have an integrated or plug-on electronics system. 